The monument of matrones conteining seuen seuerall lamps of virginitie, or distinct treatises; whereof the first fiue concerne praier and meditation: the other two last, precepts and examples, as the woorthie works partlie of men, partlie of women; compiled for the necessarie vse of both sexes out of the sacred Scriptures, and other approoued authors, by Thomas Bentley of Graies Inne student.

Another godlie and Christian praier for the Church and congregation presentlie assembled.

ALthough the holie Scriptures doo teach vs euerie where, that the hea∣uen, O most good and mercifull God, is thy dwelling place; yet the same doth in such wise set out thine infi∣nite goodnesse, as the Church is both called, and also is in deede, thy sanctified house, wherein thou most frequentest; wherein also thy blessed name is lifted vp with high praises, the faithfull instructed in thy sa∣cred words, and the holie Sacraments dulie receiued. And therefore the godlie, hauing an especiall regard to the honour of thy glorious name, most earnestlie, with a feruent mind, and vehement affection, doo con∣tinuallie stir vp one another, to make holie assemblies, with woonderfull exhortations; to the intent the pure worshipping, and holie inuocating of thy blessed name, might onlie be therein practised. Now therefore, and at what time so euer we shall come together in the ho∣lie congregation, our earnest request is, that wee may be there with cheerefull and verie desirous minds. For thou trulie hast, of an exceeding liberalitie, adorned thy holie Church with most flourishing & right excellent gifts; neither is there anie thing pretermitted, that
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apperteineth to hir garnishing, which may either be∣long to the spirituall decking and beautifieng thereof, or to the plentious enriching of it, in abundance of all heauenlie good things. Which seeing they haue pro∣ceeded most fullie from thee; this onlie remaineth, that thou wouldest be present with vs and them, which are assembled together in the name of Iesus Christ; and so condescend vnto our feruent praiers, who thereby doo call vpon thee, as the members thereof may be an∣nexed together with a perpetuall concord. Cause all our meetings (I saie) good father, to be in such sort, as we may render due honour vnto thee. Let the sacred Scriptures be heere purelie and sincerelie interpre∣ted, and let thy glorious kingdome from daie to daie be more and more inlarged, making all these things to be established with thy ioious peace, and the tranquillitie of thy holie spirit, yea so long as we praie for the quiet∣nesse and felicitie heereof. Let vs procure substantiall and perfect good things, both to our neighbours, and also vnto thy blessed house, and holie sanctified Church. And cause that those Citizens, which doo credit the sa∣cred doctrine of thy holie Church, may by thy excellent benefit become frends and faithfull brethren one to a∣nother; and in the end beeing quite deliuered from thrall, bring thou to passe that one daie we may alto∣gether repose our selues in the true and most holie Ie∣rusalem; through Iesus Christ our Lord,